Industry executives to debate new distribution strategies and other survival tactics
Adding to the deepening crisis facing the global airline industry, Lufthansa today warned that a sharp fall in passengers will result in a deeper than expected operating loss in the first quarter of 2003. (4/10/2003)
(Print Version) (Send to a Friend)

This comes on the back of similarly downbeat news from Europe's other leading airlines. This week SAS also announced that it would be axing 56 flights a week, British Airways plans to reduce capacity by 4% this month and next month, and KLM is also cutting capacity, possibly by as much as 7%.

Even the fortunes of budget airlines such as easyJet have been tempered in recent months. Although easyJet seemingly shook off the global crisis in the airline industry with a 32% increase in passenger numbers during March, this was coupled with a 10.7% decrease in the carrier's average fare over the past six months.

The question is where does the industry go from here? What will the European air travel landscape look like a year from now, five years from now…?

On the 15-16 May, key executives from some of Europe's most prominent airlines will participate on a panel debate at the EyeforTravel Europe 2003 conference to discuss the vital distribution strategies needed to survive and prosper over the coming months and years. Speakers include:

Claudia Huegel, General Manager of Global Sales Development, Lufthansa AG
Thomas Wandahl, Director Distribution Strategy, SAS
Sinead Finn, Head of UK Sales and Marketing, Ryanair
Tim Jeans, Managing Director, MyTravelLite
Konstantin Kasapis, Director of Interactive Sales, Austrian Airlines
David Bryon, Head of e-Commerce and Distribution, bmibaby

Issues to be discussed include:

The low cost business model is here to stay. The question is, which airlines can apply this most successfully?
How have the internet strategies of the budgets helped them continue to increase their share of the air travel pie? And is there any left for newcomers?
How far are the major airlines mirroring these strategies in their short haul businesses? Will they become streamlined enough to counter the no-frills threat?
Is it really cost effective for airlines to maintain the full range of distribution channels?
With over 10 European low-cost airlines, further consolidation is inevitable. Who will buy who, and who will go bust?

If you would like to hear exactly what the industry thinks about its own future, then make sure you book your place to attend this conference today. To join over 300 of your peers and save yourself £200, register online at www.eyefortravel.com/europe2003

In addition to the airlines, you will also be able to participate in strategic debates from other key sectors of the travel industry, including hotels, tour operators and online agencies. To see a full agenda, go to www.eyefortravel.com/europe2003 and click on the icon on the right hand side to download the conference brochure.

This is the event where the industry speaks out. Travel sales will bounce back and those companies who plan their strategy now will reap the benefits when this happens. Just make sure you don't miss the flight.